Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Finest 357 Mag?

Interesting video.
Pretty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ROYgLRifXA&feature=youtu.be

In my world a SW PC 627 would do very nicely.

The Python is supposed to have the flaw of going out of timing with lots of double action fire, but I think that's only due to people improperly operating it in double action mode. For some reason, it became a common recommendation to fire it double action by pulling it to the stack point, double checking the sight alignment, then following through with the pull. I've read expert proponents of the Colt double actions point out that this is the cause of them going out of timing, and that they are no more prone to going out of timing than an S&W, assuming you pull through smoothly from beginning to end of the double action trigger stroke. That's the way I've always fired my Colt revolvers, and so far none has gone out of timing.

Here are my two Colts in .357 Magnum, though I have a bunch more in .38 Special. I've got some better grips on the Model 357 since that picture was taken. Both of them have actions like butter.

When you think .357 Magnum - most would generally think Smith & Wesson. As much as I cherish my 60's era Python, S&W has dominated the DA revolver market since day 1, with their Registered Magnum revolver being the first gun to chamber the .357 cartridge.

Unless you've had the luxury of handling a Fred Sadowski (300 Gunsmithing Services) tuned Python with a 6 lb DA pull - you really can't argue the fact that S&W is the only game in town.

The hand (pawl) on the Python has two steps, instead of one like a S&W. The upper portion serves to index the cylinder and the lower step keeps tension on the cylinder until the hammer falls.

This alignment/locking feature makes the Python intrinsically more accurate than most other DA revolvers. The trade-off for this feature is an action that is relatively difficult and expensive to tune properly.

My vote for the finest .357? A five-inch S&W Model 27 or an original Registered Magnum with the same barrel length.

BEST 357----Model 27
Best HANDLING 357---- Model 19
Best LOOKING 357-----Python

Oh man, you struck a chord with the Sadowski Python, had to go fetch mine out of the deep hole and fondle it. We go back a long way, Fred did a DAO for me in the mid 70s and it was my PPC gun for ever. Every time I allow someone to shoot it they seem to get all glassy eyed and start making offers. Its Mine an Im keepin it....

I have a several favorites, but the current object of attention is the new Coonan 357 Magnum, it is an awesome piece with the slight drawback of pitching my brass all over creation.

The Mod 28 HWP was just another Mod 27 with less FLUFF!

Colt Never made a revolver as good as Remington untill the
1873 ,and then the colt 45/40 (45 Colt) which took the place

of the 44/40 ! The Mod Reg Mag 1935 ,mod 27,mod 28,mod 19,

And model 66 are the guns to buy !

Anything else is just a newbee buy!


Bob

The first model Colt's .357 is the most overlooked .357 ever. It's a Python frame/action with a lightweight barrel. Kinda like a S&W model 19 version of the Python. I'd love to have one some day.

Hello
Kind of Late to the Party here, I have been super busy lately, but never the less, Let's not Forget the "Original .357 Magnum" The Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum was born in 1935 and below is my First year 1935 Registered Magnum. One of only 720 Made the very first year. Below it is his Grandson the Pre-27 that left the factory in July 1955. Both guns have the 3-1/2" Barrels.... Thegeneral

Does it count if it says "Trooper" on the tube?

My feeling exactly. I love my Model 357 for the reasons you state. I cannot perceive a difference in the quality of action movement between it and my Python.

Excellent choice I bought a blued one just after they came out when I lived in Jacksonville,FL paid $95.00 for it new in the box. At that time and place I think it was probably the best buy for the money if you could find one as both the military and law enforcement were buying up about 90 or 95% of Rugers production run. If memory serves me right the one I bought was from the allotment to either the Jacksonville Police Department or the Duval County Sheriff's Office and it was released out for public sale as surplus.

Wish I still had that gun. I think the Ex wife pawned or sold it.

General Stuart - your posts are always very much appreciated - the fine quality of your gun collection is matched by the quality of your photographs.

Ps I have gone back and forth for years over M27 vs. Python as "the best". Finally realizing that there are no perfect guns, that everything is a compromise and you pick from which features appeal to you most, I kept a pristine example of each brand gun.

This:


But that's for ICORE. Hunting, I'd do something a little different.

Just bought a GP-100 as I was looking for strength/reliability and a price tag that was not way out there with two Smith and Wessons at hand...If money was not an issue..the Freedom Arms would be my choice.

Full house 357's are hard on 99% of the revolvers out there.Few can take a steady diet of Max loads without issues down the road.

Jayco

I only have one 357 so this 19-4 is my favorite.